Jim Alexanderson of Highland writes that, just because massive climate changes have happened in the past, by natural causes, this makes it OK for us to cause climate change now. Therefore let's continue to burn all the oil we can find instead of developing sustainable energy.

This is a bogus argument. By the same token, I could say: just because human beings have died in the past, by natural causes, this makes it OK for me to kill someone now.

Look around you at the consequences of climate change: more severe storms, droughts, heavy rainfall events, falling lake water levels and failing crops. Even the Bush administration has acknowledged that climate change is happening and that it is human-caused. Now look at your children and ask yourself, is this the future you want to give them?

It's time for change. As individuals, we need to cut our energy consumption; as a region, state and nation, we need to elect leaders who will stop subsidizing oil and invest in a clean, renewable energy economy.

Joan Crist, Hammond